A place meant to be shared
At the corner of Mason Street and Griffith Street sits a building that has quietly held over a century of stories. Built in 1915, the former Saugatuck United Methodist Church has long been a place of gathering — of celebration, reflection, and connection. When we first stepped inside, we saw something rare: a space with soul waiting to be reimagined.
The Bell and Lily Inn was born from a simple idea — to preserve that spirit, while creating something entirely new.
From church to inn
Transforming a historic church into a lodging experience was not always the most obvious path. But for us, it felt natural. We wanted to honor what was already here — the soaring ceilings, the stained glass, the light that moves through the space throughout the day — while carefully layering in modern comfort and thoughtful design. Every decision has been intentional.
Original architectural elements are being preserved wherever possible. Others are being reinterpreted — like pews becoming part of the interior experience, or historic details finding new life in unexpected ways. This is not simply a renovation. It’s a restoration of purpose.
Built by hand, guided by passion
Perhaps the question we hear most often is: “You’re doing this yourselves?” What began as a vision quickly became a deeply personal restoration project — one we’ve poured ourselves into day by day. From early design sketches to many late nights on-site visioning what the future would look like, we’ve been fully immersed in the process of the transformation. We’ve approached the restoration hands-on and with intention, thoughtfully reimagining the former church for modern hospitality.
Looking ahead
As The Bell and Lily Inn prepares to open, we’re excited to share this journey with you. Whether you’ve peeked your head inside to see the progress from day one, or are just learning about our transformation, we invite you to be part of what’s next. We can’t wait to open our doors and share The Bell and Lily Inn with you. Join our guest list for opening updates and early access to booking.